AVIATION

Air hostess

One of the important aspects of travel by air is concerned with making the journey of the passenger as much comfortable and safe. It is in this respect the Air hostess/Pursers play their role.  

This is a very promising career option with the vision of a smart, efficient lady in mind. Many young girls opt for the career because of the exciting experience of flying, visiting different places, interacting with different kinds of people on board and for the very attractive pay package. Liberalization of air policies have increased the private operation of air services and this has created immense job opportunities in this field. Even though this career gives exciting experience it is not as easy as it seems. This is a highly demanding job which requires a lot of patience and involves odd duty hours. To be more specific behind this career lies a strong conviction, commitment and hard work for learning the technical aspects of aircraft operation and skills to tackle difficult situation.

         The air hostess is called the first person to welcome a passenger, her welcoming smile and greeting acknowledge every passenger. Inside the aircraft, she seems to be here, there and everywhere, greeting every passenger, guiding each to his or her seat, helping a passenger get settled, co-ordinating security personnel, giving directions as and when required and doing a myriad things. Basically, she’s on constant call all the time

Eligibility & Course Areas

Educational: Eligibility for an airhostess-training programme is plus two/ or a graduate degree with a diploma/degree in Hotel Management or Tourism Management. The aspirant must be eligible to hold an Indian Passport and should be below twenty-five years of age with a minimum height of 157.5 centimeters. The weight should be in proportion to height. Further, one must be unmarried, with normal eyesight of 6/6 uncorrected vision in each eye. Fluency in English, Hindi, and knowledge of an international language is an added advantage.

            A flight purser, male counterpart of the airhostess has to be a graduate below 26 years, and have a minimum height of 163 cm with proportionate weight.

           The applicant should be physically fit with a pleasing personality and clear complexion. After the initial screening of applicants is completed the airline  company calls them for a written examination, usually of the objective type (multiple choice). Those who qualify in the written examination have to appear for a group discussion followed by a personal interview of successful candidates. If selected you will be on training for 2 to 3 months in which time you learn about service, grooming, safety and first aid, after which you are initially put on trainee flights.

                  The training covers several topics, each of which deals with technical or non-technical aspects of the aircraft. Beginning with the history of aviation, the candidates are made to learn In-flight Service, Passenger Handling, Passenger psychology, Service of meals on the Aircraft, the art of conversation, Transitional Analysis, Emergency Evacuation System, Personal Grooming and Hygiene, First Aid, Confidence Building, Handling of visually impaired passengers, Making announcements, Emergency demonstration etc.

Personal Attributes: Common sense, sense of responsibility, initiative, friendly outgoing personality, politeness, physical stamina and the capacity to work for long hours on one's feet, ability to react quickly in times of emergency and a presence of mind, systematic approach, unruffled appearance, a well-modulated pleasant voice, and a proportionate figure with a graceful carriage.

Job Prospects & Career Options

Job prospects

With privatisation and foreign collaboration increasing every day, the future is bright for an air hostess. Most airline offices are looking to increasing their fleet and there is a demand for air hostesses. They can find employment with private owned domestic and international airlines namely Sahara, Singapore airlines, Jet Airways etc and government air services like Air India and Indian Airlines. Ads for recruitment normally appear in all major newspapers.

Career options

An Air Hostess has every chance to be promoted to the post of Senior Flight Attendant and then Head Attendant. Career as an Air Hostess would last for about eight to ten years, after that she could move on to the ground duties including the job of a Ground Hostess, Check Hostess, training of airhostess or work in the management level. One can also diversify into any one of the other departments in the airline industry.

The duty of an airhostess last throughout the duration of the flight. The job of an air hostess begins long before the arrival of the passengers. It starts with safety check on the aircraft, where she has to check the safety equipment, blankets, pillows, magazines, plates, napkins and medicines, etc. as well as the cleanliness. 

After the passengers board the flight the job includes assisting passengers to settle down. Special care is needed in the case of sick travellers, VIPs, babies or children or elderly people traveling alone. Once all the passengers are seated it is the duty of the airhostess to go about ensuring that safety arrangements are in proper condition and demonstrate the use of emergency equipment.

           They has to provide first aid if such a situation arise. Her responsibilities also include serving meals to passengers. In case of an emergency during the flight, she need to take responsibility and determine the most appropriate steps to deal with the situation.

In short she has to work continuously with presence of mind and must be on call all the time.

Remuneration

In the beginning, depending on the airlines you are getting into, your salary and other allowance may ad up to Rs.16,000 to Rs.35,000(approx) or more per month. The maximum you can earn as a senior airhostess is about Rs.75,000 per month in Air India or Indian Airlines. Domestic private airlines pay more. In foreign airlines, pay for a senior airhostess can cross Rs.3 lakh a month in Indian currency.

Institutes for Training Airhostess / Flight Stewards

Institute Name	:	Global Institute
Address	:	B-!/637,Janakpuri,Main Najafgarh Road, New Delhi-58
Phone	:	9818971221, 25541341
E-Mail	:
Web Site	:	www.globalflightkare.org
Institution Details	:	The only institute providing practical training abroad.
Course	:	Training for Airhostess/ Flight Steward Eligibility : XII pass/Graduate Age Limit : between 17 and 26 years Height : F:5'-2" M:5'-7"

Institute Name	:	Indian Aviation Academy
Address	:	7/8 Rushabh Complex, Opposite Fun Republic Cinema, Oshivara, Andheri (West)
Phone	:	009122 - 26749058, 26740041
E-Mail	:
Web Site	:	www.indianaviationacademy.com
Institution Details	:	Indian Aviation Academy-The most trusted name in Aviation Training, is a premium Aviation Training Institute in Mumbai which offers courses in Aviation Management, Airline Passenger Services, Cabin Crew & in-Flight Services, Commercial Pilot Training, Ramp & Cargo Operations, Aviation Security, Fares & Ticketing, Flight Dispatch, Weight & Balance, etc. Admissions are subject to a personal interview
Course	:	Training for Airhostess/ Flight Steward Eligibility : Air Hostess Training (Cabin Crew & In-Flight Services) Duration : 4 months Age Limit : 8 to 27 years with proportionate height and weight, clear eyesight.& clear skin

Institute Name	:	Sristys Aviation
Address	:	Sristy's School of Air Hostess, 307, Swarnajayanthi Complex, Ameerpet, Hyderabad
Phone	:	04065886588, 04065888858
E-Mail	:
Web Site	:	www.sristysaviation.com
Institution Details	:	Sristys School of Airhostess, an education initiative by Sristys Aviation is into consulting and human resource strategising for leading domestic and international airlines. We also provide aviation training as per the skill level of the candidate. Centres - Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Shimoga(Karnataka), Thrissur(Kerala)
Course	:	Diploma in Aviation Management Eligibility : 10+2 or intermediate or Graduate from a recognised University Duration : 12 months Selection : Selection for the airhostess training course is based on a written test, group discussion and personal interview with a panel of aviation experts Age Limit : Between 17 and 27 years (Relaxable upto 3 years in case of SC/ST and OBC categories) Foreign Language and BPO Training Eligibility : 10+2 or intermediate or Graduate from a recognised University Duration : 4 months Age Limit : Between 17 and 27 years (Relaxable upto 3 years in case of SC/ST and OBC categories)

Air Hostess Academy (AHA), 48, Ring Road, Lajpat Nagar III, New Delhi, 110024
Ph : 011-29832771-75, 29837481-89
Course: Training for Airhostess/ Flight Steward
Eligibility: 10+2
Height:5.2" (F), 5.7" (M)
Aptima Air Hostess Academy, J1/164, Rajouri Garden, New Delhi 110027
Ph: 011-5176407, 5176471, 5176432, Fax: 011-5432729
Course: Training for Airhostess/ Flight Steward, Hotel Executive
Eligibility: 10+2
Duration: 6 months, 1 year
(Hostel facility available)

Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training, Door No 39/6795,1st Floor,Vallamattom Estate,Ravipuram,Cochin -682 015
Ph : 91-484- 4014400
Course : BTEC [HNC] in Aviation, Hospitality and Travel Management
Eligibility -12th pass and above, having a pleasing personality and good communication skills.
Age between 17 and 24.
Duration - 1 year
Selection Procedure - The selection will be on the basis of personal interviews.
Frankfinn Management Consultants (FMC), 721,  Suneja Tower-II, Distt. Centre, Janakpuri, New Delhi 110058
Ph: 011-5532757, 5535656, 5535657; Fax: 5621562
Course: Training for Airhostess/ Flight Steward
Eligibility: XII pass/Graduate
Age between 17 and 29 years
Height: 157-175 cms
Flyers Inc,33, Jangpura Road, new Delhi 110014
Ph: 4313411, 4323412; Fax: 4313411
Courses Training for (1) Air Hostess (2) Pilots
Eligibility: 10+2 (Phy & Maths)
Hostel Facilities are available
Pacific Airways, Pocket GH-6/35,PaschimVihar,New  Delhi 110087
Ph: 5576463, 5577190
Course: (1)Training for Airhostess/ Flight Steward, (2)Diploma in Air Fares & Ticketing, (3) Diploma in Travel & Tourism
Eligibility: 10+2


Free bird Aviation & Management Services, TC-41/2454 Mancaud, Trivandrum-9, Kerala.
Course: Training for Airhostess/ Flight Steward

Pilot

The job of commercial pilot is the most glamorous and exciting job in aviation. It is highly rated and one of the most adventurous career which requires intensive training. This profession also demands a lot of time, dedication, patience and sacrifice. A career in aviation attracts many youngsters as it provide opportunity to travel around the globe. This is a lucrative field. But apart from all those attractive things the job of a commercial pilot makes him responsible for the aircraft he flies and the lives of his passengers.

         The most important person on an aircraft is the pilot. Pilots are highly trained professionals who fly airplanes and helicopters carrying passengers or cargo.

      This is a highly specialised job which requires knowledge of air navigation, interpretation of meteorological reports, operations of sophisticated electronic and mechanical controls, leading the aircraft under adverse circumstances, and being a leader to the flight crew and passengers under climatic and other emergency situations.
         There are a number of institutes under the recognition of the Directorate General Of Civil Aviation which conducts training in this field. Most prominent among them is Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Academy at Rae Bareli (Uttar Pradesh). Other major training centres are flying clubs at Mumbai and Delhi.

Eligibility & Course Areas

Educational: To become a commercial pilot in India, one has to first possess a Student Pilot License (SPL). To get the SPL those with 10+2 with science and aged at least 16 years should register at a flying club which is recognized by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Government of India. Registration requires a medical certificate, security clearance and a bank guarantee. An oral examination in subjects such as Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Engine (technical and specific) follows the registration. Successful completion of the examination entitles you for an SPL certificate.
            The second step is the Private Pilot License (PPL). PPL training includes sixty hours of flying of which about fifteen hours are dual flights, that is accompanied by the flight instructor and at least 30 hours of solo flights apart from five hours of cross-country flying. This makes one eligible for the PPL exam, which consists of Air Regulation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Aircraft Engines and Seamanship. The prescribed age for appearing for this exam is 17 years and an educational qualification of 10+2 along with a medical Fitness Certificate issued by the Armed Forces Central Medical Establishment (AFCME).

          A Commercial Pilot Licence may be obtained only after a PPL has been acquired. To obtain a Commercial Pilots License (CPL) 250 hours of flying (including 60 hours for the PPL) is necessary. Besides that you have to undergo a Medical Fitness Test which is held at New Delhi and an examination which consists of Air Regulations, Aviation Meteorology, Air Navigation, Technical, Planning, and communications in the form of Radio & Wireless Transmission. With the CPL, a pilot can take up any professional assignment.

Personal Attributes: This is a filed of discipline, patience, responsibility, punctuality, commitment and self-confidence. The job requires a lot of hard work, stamina, alertness of mind, adaptability to follow difficult time schedules, good team spirit etc. Must be mentally very alert in every situation. Emotional stability in crisis situations is another characteristic that the pilots should have. Apart from these qualities, the persons willing to take up this as profession, should be calm, pleasant, compassionate, adventurous, understanding and technically sound.

Job prospects & Career Options

Job Prospects
With the privatisation, lot of avenues have opened for CPL holders. They can find employment opportunities in both government (Indian Airlines, Air India) as well as private domestic and international (Jet Airways, Sahara etc.) airlines. Even large corporate houses with their own aircraft require the services of pilots.

Career options

           In this field after getting CPL one start as a trainee pilot. After being a trainee, one becomes a pilot or first officer on board based on ones seniority. Seniority is determined by hours of flying experience and successful completion of various programs. Then one becomes a Commander or Captain and thereafter a Senior Commander.
         From pre-take off to actual landing and signing off, pilot must be highly responsible. Before take-off pilots check pre-flight plans. These includes the route to be taken and height maintained, meteorological readings, conditions of all equipments, air pressure and temperature inside the aircraft etc. They have to do complex calculations of take-off and landing and have to check fuel needed for the particular distance to be traveled and height and weight to be maintained. During the flight too pilot must be constantly alert, ensuring there are no mechanical snags, maintaining contact with air traffic controls and cabin crew through-out the flight. He also has to keep a record of flight details.

Remuneration

Pay scales of commercial pilots in the public sector organizations depend on the grade level of the positions. They will get attractive remuneration and incentives. The total remuneration also includes contributory provident fund, gratuity, medical facilities and free/concessional air passage. Pilots are also entitled to a range of benefits and allowances in addition to housing, medical and out- station allowances, as well as free/concessional air passages for their immediate family and dependants. Commercial pilots can earn from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 150,000 per month, depending on the airline and one's experience.